10 July-15 July, 2016
VIMS Eastern Shore Lab
Wachapreague, VA

Educators from the VIMS/Virginia Sea Grant Extension Program have been leading classroom science teachers in explorations of the diverse habitats of Virginia's Eastern Shore and its barrier islands since 2001. The home base for these learning adventures is the VIMS Eastern Shore Lab, an active coastal research facility in Wachapreague, VA. This year, we are again offering science teachers a field-intensive survey of Mid-Atlantic coastal ecosystems with a focus on the use of research-based lessons and experiences, and input from scientists working on the cutting-edge of coastal studies.

The objectives of the 2016 VIMS Coastal Ecosystems Field Course are to:

enrich teachers' familiarity with current topics in marine and environmental science by linking them with scientists working on cutting-edge topics in ocean science research;

focus relevance of ocean science topics using the issue of coastal change;

prepare teachers to successfully integrate coastal and ocean content into their existing curricula;

introduce teachers to research-based and multidisciplinary lessons and experiences as tools for teaching science; and,

promote discussion and development of additional classroom and field applications of research-based lessons.

Learning from scientists and educators, participants receive: Virginia SOL-relevant content in marine biology, chemistry, physics, earth and ocean sciences, and technology; teaching resources for the classroom and field; and a meaningful outdoor educational experience that both models a MWEE and generates data they will be able to use in the classroom. Using high-tech and low-tech methods, teachers will sample the ecosystems with various types of oceanographic equipment, including:

Otter trawl

Oyster dredge

Sediment corer

YSI salinity/DO/temp probe

Refractometer & hydrometer

Secchi disk

GPS receivers

Van Dorn bottle

Profiling stadia

Chemical test kits

Participants investigate habitats on both ocean and bay sides of the Eastern Shore, including:

With their students in the appropriate classes, conduct and assess two lessons or activities using content and resources from the workshop during the 2016-17 school year

Complete follow-up questionnaires regarding their implementation of content and activities from the workshop (we anticipate no more than two online surveys during the 2016-17 school year)

Provide feedback on the implementation of lesson plans

Agenda
This sample agenda (pdf) is meant to provide a basic outline for the five day course. It is subject to change.

Lodging
Lodging is included at the Eastern Shore Lab's dormitory. It is a large older house that has been renovated for group living. The second story consists of two large bunkrooms, each with its own bathroom. Additional bunkrooms and bathroom facilities (including handicapped accessible facility) are available on the first floor. The dorm also includes a large kitchen and dining area, small den with satellite tv and a picnic area with gas grills.

Hotel accommodations are also available, at the participant's expense, approximately 20 minutes from the Lab.

Tuition
There is no cost for this program thanks to support from Virginia Sea Grant and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science.

Publications
Clark, V., C. Hopper Brill, and C. Petrone. 2008. Two Boats, Three Summers, Five Universities, One Dozen Instructors, and Sixty-Five Teachers: A Collaborative Oceanography Field Program for Earth Science. The Journal Of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations. Vol 10: 43-53.